State Recommends $415,000 in Fines for Company Involved in Explosion at Waikele Self Storage

The investigation into the April 8 explosion at a self-storage facility in Hawaii found several safety violations led to the death of five men. The state has recommended hefty fines against the company.

A state investigation found 11 safety violations in connection with an explosion of fireworks at Waikele Self Storage. Employees of Donaldson Enterprises were taking apart commercial-grade cake-style fireworks inside a bunker at the facility when the explosion occurred.

The state is recommending a fine of $415,000 against Donaldson Enterprises. While no single cause of the blast was identified, the investigation found there were many unsafe working conditions and practices that led to the explosion.

Other agencies still investigating the explosion include the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Health Response Team. Donaldson will have the opportunity to dispute the findings and the fines.